PaternÚ is located in proximity to Etna
volcano, at 256 m a.s.l. It has a population of some 50,000 inhabitants. It is
a city of agricultural importance with outstanding export of citrus fruits and
outputs of cereals, vegetables and tomatoes. Industry is as much important,
notably the food, pasta and packaging factories. The city is also a thriving
craft centre, notably related to moulded clay, lava stone, wrought iron and
wood objects.

THE CITY

Here, in 1073, a lava-stone castle was built at
Count Roger Iís behest. Restructured during the first half of the 14th
century, it can be visited entirely. It features a solid-looking structure with
a rising tower. Inside, it is divided into three levels.On the
ground floor is a chapel, on the first floor there is an elegant hall graced by
four mullioned-windows. Another fine hall with mullioned windows is on the
second floor. A large terrace tops the building.It was the property of the Anjous,
inhabited by Eleonora Aragona and Martino ďthe youngĒ. It later belonged to the
Henriquez, the Speciales and the Moncadas. Almost 35 metres tall, with tickest
walls and a rectangular shape, it was a fortress part of a broader defensive
plan by the Count Roger.

The Mother Church is dedicated to Santa Maria
dellíAlto. Of Norman origin, it was rebuilt in 1342 on a basical plan in the
Romanesque style. The central nave is barrel-vaulted whereas the lateral ones
are cross-vaulted. The faÁade is divided into three parts. At its centre is a
lava-stone portal with a window above; on the sides are two pairs of archs, the
left one containing bells. The interior, divided into three naves, houses a
fine chapel that contains a beautiful wooden Crucifix of the 17th
century.

The church dedicated to the Annunciation is
also known as Chiesa del Monastero. It dates back to the 1600ís and preserves
some precious 1500ís, 1600ís and 1700ís altarpieces.

Nearby is the 1500ís Church of Santa Barbara,
in the square of the same name. Its faÁade is complete with a loggia with
statues of Saint Peter and Saint Paul on its sides. The inside, dominated by a
large cupola, is decorated with numerous valuable paintings.

PaternÚ has other interesting buildings, such
as the 1500ís Chiesa del Cristo al Monte, the 1700ís Chiesa di Santa Maria
delle Grazie, the Church and Convent of San Francesco, the latter reduced to
few ruins, the Chiesa della Madonna del Rosario, the Chiesa del Carmine, the
1600ís Chiesa di Santa Caterina and the 1700ís Chiesa di Santa Margherita.

FOLKLORE

PaternÚ is a city with long-standing
traditions, boasting a rich calendar of interesting events. The patron saint
Santa Barbara is celebrated by a whole week of religious and sporting events.
Easterís Holy Week is equally longed for; the Procession of the Images of Our
Lady of Sorrows and the Dead Christ on Holy Friday is particularly
worth-seeing. The city is also famous for its Carnival, with processions of
allegorical floats through the main streets.

HISTORY

PaternÚ boasts an ancient history. Excavations
at the area have brough to light relics dating from the Neolithic Age, some
historian asserting that the city grew on the ancient Hybla Gaelatis. The
earliest documented record dates back to the Arab and the, successive, Norman
dominations.